Plenty of natural foods are available now and the garden is full of activity. Ladybirds and hoverflies enjoy banqueting on the flush of greenfly as the weather warms up. Dragonflies will appear in large numbers, having just emerged from their watery homes looking for midges. Summer visiting birds will use the wealth of food to prepare to migrate, swifts  will be first to leave. Whilst resident birds and mammals are raising their final brood of young and lacewings prepare for hibernation.

Dry spells may ensure certain animals such as hedgehogs, badgers or foxes appear during the day to drink from the pond as they struggle to find food.

A good time to wander around the garden and look for changes to your garden plan when the plants are at their largest. Perhaps there is a gap on a wall to establish a climbing plant and to provide another site for nesting birds, or the time to decide where to place the pond or a tree for next years garden for wildlife.

• Take semi-hardwood cuttings eg. lavender, evergreens,   
  
• Water containers and berry bearing shrubs if it is dry.
  
• Trim deciduous hedges.Try to leave some of the hedge, such as the top or one side, uncut to ensure a crop of berries.Trim on a three year cycle if it is possible.
  
• Move evergreen shrubs now as part of changing the design of the garden.
  
• Mulch the soil to reduce water loss, insulate the soil from excessive heat and improve soil structure.

Angelica sylvestris is found in wild places that provide damp meadows ponds or riverbanks. Small insects such as hoverflies are attracted to the flowers whilst the seedheads provide food for birds in the autumn. By leaving the hollow stems through the winter you can provide hibernation homes for ladybirds and butterflies. As well as its importance to wildlife, the tall stems and lacy heads will provide an architectural feature at the edge of the pond. Plant alongside purple loosestrife, ragged robin, marsh for-get-me-not and yellow loosestrife

Remember to gather some seeds to sow again the following year in the spring to ensure angelica comes again.

August is the month to see Dragonflies. Broad-bodied Chaser Libellula depressa over the pond earlier in the year will be replaced by others such as the Southern Hawker Aeshna cyanea.  A large dragonfly often flying so close that they appear to be inspecting us. Usually solitary, appearing only in groups when they are emerging from the pond in July. Markings are bright green and black, with blues and yellows. Adults fly July-October feeding in woodland rides and in gardens monitoring their territory. Eggs are laid in ponds and hatch to live as hungry larvae in ponds for two years feeding on invertebrates, tadpoles and small fish.

If at all possible a garden should have a pond with plenty of emergent vegetation to attract dragonflies. If you haven't got a pond consider the idea for your garden. 

1. Reduce food supplies to a minimum.
2. Clean bird table and feeders thoroughly ready for the coming season.
3. Keep birdbath clean and full.
4. Top up garden pond.
5. Dead head to encourage a new flush of flowers to supply nectar for bees and butterflies but leave the seeds available for birds.
6. Continue your wildlife diary for August.